NICE guidelines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: implications for primary care

摘要

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK with around 30 000 deaths per annum. There are an estimated 3 million people with the disease (900 000 diagnosed and 2.1 million undiagnosed), and COPD is estimated to be the third highest cause of mortality worldwide by the year 2020.1